Rahul Gandhi postpones "special" presser, Oppn calls off protest against SIR after Shibu Soren's demise

New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): The "special press conference", scheduled to be held post noon today, has been postponed given the unfortunate demise of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren, who was one of the founding members of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Congress leader Pawan Khera announced on Monday morning.
"In view of the sad demise of 'Guruji' Shibu Soren, today's special press conference by Rahul Gandhi stands postponed," Khera posted on X.
Moreover, the Opposition MPs have called off their protest against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar, which was scheduled to be held at Makar Dwar, following the demise of Shibu Soren. However, the issue will be raised inside the house.
Leaders across party lines have been paying their respect to Shibu Soren, a mass leader, while remembering contributions to the struggle for rights and empowerment of the tribal community.
"The former Chief Minister of Jharkhand and one of the country's senior-most leaders, Shibu Soren, was counted among the towering leaders of Jharkhand who struggled throughout their lives for the rights and empowerment of the weaker sections of society, especially the tribal community. He always remained connected to the land and the people. I had a long acquaintance with him. His passing has caused me great sorrow. My condolences to his family and supporters," Rajnath Singh posted on X.
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari also expressed grief over the demise of Jharkhand's tall leader and said that Soren always spoke for the poor, especially for the rights of tribals.
Soren passed away after a prolonged illness at the age of 81 on Monday morning in New Delhi.
Jharkhand Chief Minister and his Sbhibu Soren's son Hemant Soren confirmed the demise of the leader in a post on X.
"Respected Dishom Guruji has left us all. Today, I am devastated," Hemant Soren said.
According to the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in the national capital, where the former Chief Minister was admitted, Shibu Soren was suffering from a kidney ailment. He had suffered a stroke one and a half months ago. He was on life support for the past month.
Shibu Soren led the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for 38 years and is known as the founding patron of the party. He was the third Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
Over a four-decade career in politics, Soren was elected to the Lok Sabha eight times and served as a Rajya Sabha MP for two terms. (ANI)